Bathroom heater and body dryer

ABSTRACT

A heating element, a power supply, and a fan or similar apparatus for creating airflow comprises a bathroom heater and dryer. The exterior of the heater provides a platform with apertures that allows airflow to exit the heater. To use the heater, a user steps onto the platform. The heating element receives power from the power supply and heats up the air contained inside of the heater. The fan pushes the air upward through the platform and the air exits through the apertures, warming the user and drying the lower extremities.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/091,601, filed Dec. 14, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to space heating devices and in particular to a bathroom heater and body dryer. Particularly in the wintertime, many people find the first few minutes after a bath or shower to have an unpleasant chill, with their bodies and hair dripping wet. Also, there are many elderly and disabled people, as well as those recovering from serious injuries, who find it difficult to dry off their lower extremities.

A search of the prior art reveals various devices which have been developed to provide warmth in a chilly bathroom and dry the user's body after a bath. None are closely related to the present invention, but several include features which resemble those of the present invention. Each has proven to be less than satisfactory in its own way. The present invention has been developed for the purpose of addressing and resolving these disadvantages. A bathroom heater and body dryer, which warms air and forces it upward out of a platform upon which the user stands, would resolve these disadvantages.

Apparatus for letting out hot air, used as heater and dryer particularly in bathrooms, U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,243 (priority Sep. 2, 1986), provides an electric heating and drying apparatus, of the type housed in a box-type body having at least partially open walls. A heating resistance and a fan arranged to blow air through said resistance towards an outlet opening, said box-type body being mounted on a support base on which it is adjustably positioned, said base comprising floor resting means and wall connection means. According to the invention stop means are provided, operating between the box-type body and the base, which stop means, when the base is resting on the floor, assume one position determining rigid fixing of the body to the base without the relative position of these latter being able to undergo adjustment, and which, when the base is connected to the wall, assume at least one position which allows the body to be freely adjusted relative to the base.

Portable heater, U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,242 (priority Jan. 9, 1998), provides a portable heater of the type having a housing containing an internal fan and heating element to force heated air out of a blower opening The heater housing includes a plurality of foot-operable, push-button switches mounted on an outlet face, and the housing is of a horizontally stable configuration. A fulcrum, which also may be utilized as a carrying handle, is also disclosed to assist in foot-operation of the switches, and an angled outlet face is disclosed to direct heated air from the housing.

Heating and ventilation fan for bathroom, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. US2013/0004299 (priority Mar. 15, 2010), provides a heating and ventilation fan for a bathroom, comprising a ventilation fan frame, a scroll casing provided with fan blades and a motor, an air passage-switching plate, and a heater. The device is characterized in that: an air leakage-preventing structure is provided between an air outlet of the scroll casing and the air passage. The advantage of the invention is that a desired air amount can be ensured and a noise can be reduced while guaranteeing a gap required for smooth rotation of the air passage-switching plate.

Electrically heated bath drying device, U.S. Pat. No. 3,418,452 (priority Oct. 27, 1965), provides a tubular housing enclosing a motor driven fan and an electric heating element for heating air drawn through the housing by the fan. The air inlet end of the housing is closed by a screen secured to radially inwardly directed tabs on the housing. The other end of the housing necks down to form a tubular air outlet to which one end of a flexible hose having a nozzle at its other end is connected. A handle is provided on or immediately adjacent the nozzle to aid in directing the nozzle.

After-shower body dryer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,161 (priority Sep. 24, 1962), provides a dryer comprising a stall which constitutes an enclosure wherein a person may stand for purposes of drying their body after taking a shower or bath. Heated air is used for drying purposes. The heated air is supplied by a motor driven blower which forces air through an electric air heater.

Apparatus for drying genitals and the posterior parts of human body, U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,030 (priority Oct. 16, 1980), provides a fan to blow air for drying genitals and the posterior parts provided with electric motor means for rotating a fan, after heater means for heating the air, and control circuit means for controlling the temperature of the blown air. Said heater elements, alternatively to one or two or more of which the electric power may be supplied, and said control circuit means comprising a thermostat to cut off the electric power supply to one of the heater means when the temperature of the blown air exceeds a predetermined value.

The prior art inventions generally occupy a great deal of space. Floor space in a bathroom is usually at a premium, particularly in apartments, mobile homes, and condominums, and such devices are prohibitively large. The present invention has a smaller footprint, occupying roughly the same amount as a bathroom scale, and may be easily stored when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a bathroom heater and body dryer. The portable heater is comprised of a heating element, a power supply, and a fan or similar apparatus for creating airflow. The exterior of the heater provides a platform with apertures that allows airflow to exit the heater. To use the heater, a user steps onto the platform. The heating element receives power from the power supply and heats up the air contained inside of the heater. The fan pushes the air upward through the platform and the air exits through the apertures, warming the user and drying the lower extremities.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the heater 10, the heating element 11, the power switch 11A, the tower 12, and the platform 13.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the heater 10, the heating element 11, the power switch 11A, the power cord 11B, the tower 12, and the platform 13.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the heater 10, the heating element 11, the tower 12, the platform 13, the airflow button 13A, the gutter 13B, and the apertures 14.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the second exemplary embodiment, displaying the heater 10, the heating element 11, the tower 12, the circular aperture 15, the hose 16, and the attachment 17.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the heating element 11, displaying the fan 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a bathroom heater 10 and body dryer.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a portable heater 10 which provides a heating element 11, a tower 12, and a platform 13. The platform 13 is preferably 18 inches long and 18 inches wide, and provides a slightly angled surface to enable water to drain off to a surrounding gutter 13B. The surface of the platform 13 provides a plurality of apertures 14 which enable an upward airflow out of the platform 13.

The tower 12 is preferably five feet tall and hollow. The heating element 11, located on the tower 12, provides a power switch 11A, a powerful internal fan 20, and a power cord 11B which may be plugged into any standard two-pronged or three-pronged wall outlet. When activated, the heating element 11 begins heating the air within the tower 12. A foot-operated airflow control button 13A is provided on the surface of the platform 13. By pressing the airflow control button 13A repeatedly with the foot, the user may control the fan 20, cycling through low speed, medium speed, high speed, and shutoff. The fan 20 pushes the heated air from the tower through a passage 19 such that the air enters the platform 13 and escapes through the plurality of apertures 14.

An alternate embodiment is contemplated, wherein the heater 10 may also be used as a hair dryer. The fan 20 provides a reversible motor and the tower 12 provides a valve 18 which blocks airflow through the upper end. A large circular aperture 15 is provided on the front surface 12A of the tower 12. An air hose 16 and other appropriate attachments 17 may be affixed to the large circular aperture for the purpose of directing a warm airflow to the user's hair. In this embodiment, the foot-operated airflow control button 13A further controls the direction of the fan as well as the speed.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user activates the power switch 11A to begin heating the air in the tower 12. The user may then take a shower or bath and, upon completion, the user steps on the platform 13 and controls the fan, using the airflow control button 13A which is provided. The apertures 14 direct warm air upward from the platform 13, warming the user and drying the lower extremities.

The heating element 11, the power switch 11A, the tower 12, the platform 13, and the airflow control button 13A are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials such as high-impact plastic, steel, copper alloy, and aluminum alloy. The power cord 11B is preferably manufactured from braided copper alloy wire sheathed in flexible plastic. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A bathroom heater and body dryer, comprising a portable heater which provides a heating element, a hollow tower, and a platform.
 2. The bathroom heater and body dryer of claim 1, wherein the platform is 18 inches long and 18 inches wide.
 3. The bathroom heater and body dryer of claim 1, wherein the platform is slightly angled to enable water to drain off to a surrounding gutter.
 4. The bathroom heater and body dryer of claim 1, wherein the tower is five feet tall.
 5. The bathroom heater and body dryer of claim 1, wherein the heating element provides a power switch, a powerful internal fan, and a power cord; said power switch being configured to activate the heating element; when activated, the heating element is configured to heat the air within the tower; and said powerful internal fan is configured to propel the heated air through the hollow tower.
 6. The bathroom heater and body dryer of claim 5, wherein the surface of the platform provides a plurality of apertures such that air may flow through the platform.
 7. The bathroom heater and body dryer of claim 6, wherein the hollow tower is connected to the platform such that air may pass from the hollow tower through a passage to the platform.
 8. The bathroom heater and body dryer of claim 7, further comprising a foot-operated airflow control button; the foot-operated airflow control button is located on the platform and configured to adjust the speed of the fan.
 9. The bathroom heater and body dryer of claim 8 wherein the fan provides a reversible motor and the tower provides a valve which blocks airflow through an upper end; said foot-operated airflow control button being further configured to adjust the direction of the fan.
 10. The bathroom heater and body dryer of claim 9, wherein a large circular aperture is provided on the front surface of the tower.
 11. The bathroom heater and body dryer of claim 10, further comprising an air hose; the air hose being connected to the large circular aperture and configured to direct airflow.
 12. The bathroom heater and body dryer of claim 11, further comprising attachments; said attachments being removably attached to said air hose. 